Antioxidant properties of hydro-alcoholic extract and extract of nepeta crispa in Lorestan province

Introduction: Antioxidants protect body against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This study aims at comparing the antioxidant properties of hydro-alcoholic extract and extract of Nepeta crispa (from its shoot part). Methods: The study was carried out in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۱۲. Both hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were prepared and antioxidant properties of samples were assessed using different methods. The ability to inhibit free radicals production was measured through ۲, ۲-diphenyl-۱-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Total antioxidant capacity was measured using Phosphomolybdate Method. Likewise, phenol and flavonoid compounds of samples were measured using folin-ciocalteu Zishen method. Results: The results showed that the total antioxidant capacity of hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were equal to ۰.۲۳±۰.۱۲ and ۰.۸۲±۰.۴۰ Nmol ascorbic acid per gram extract or essence. The phenol content of hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were ۲۵۴.۶۳±۱۵.۷۵ and ۶.۹۴±۱.۳۷ mg gallic acid per gram extract or essence, respectively. Flavonoid content of hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were equal to ۵.۵۳±۰.۳۴ and ۰.۳۶±۰.۰۶ mg quercetin per gram extract or essence, respectively. IC۵۰ value (concentration that will inhibit ۵۰% of free radicals production), hydro-alcoholic extract, essence of plant and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), as positive control, were equal to ۲.۰۹±۰.۱۱, ۶.۰۵, and ۳.۸۸±۱ μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract has better antioxidant properties in contrast to essence of Nepeta crispa. As a result, hydro-alcoholic extract of Nepeta crispa is a good and available source of antioxidant compounds which can be used, if useful, in food, pharmaceutical and industrial products.